Apple iSlate/iGuide may be a Smartbook

Rumours continue as to if Apple will be releasing a tablet computer called the Apple iSlate or iGuide. This is generally described as a large iPhone, but may be better thought of as a Smartbook. These are a new class of lower cost lower power netbooks being readied for sale in 2010. The distinguishing features of the smartbooks are that they use low cost processors as used in smart phones and so can cost about US$200. As a result they don't run the Microsoft Windows of most netbooks, instead some form of Linux or Microsoft Windows Mobile/CE. Most will be a traditional laptop clam shell design with a keyboard, but some may be touchscreens or have rubber keyboards (like the OLPC). It is likely that many will include wireless Internet and be sold on a plan like a mobile phone. These devices are the 21st century equivalent of pocket computers.

Pocketable Computer with Keyboard

OQO have released an upgraded 02 version of their "Pocketable" computer . This is a 5.6 by 3.3 inch device with a slide out keyboard and 800 x 480 pixel 5-inch touch-screen. It is around the size I proposed for a low cost educational computer. But this is a high end unit costing around $US1500 (same price as the current 01 model). It has a low power 1.5 GHz VIA processor.

The OQO units have a transflective screen, which is designed to be read in daylight with the back light turned off. Perhaps screens for these units which have been rejected due to dead pixels could be recycled for low cost computers. If the dead pixels are at the edges of the screen, the display could be masked and used as a 640 x 480 display.